Veteran actor Amy Madigan won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars on Sunday night for her performance in the horror film Weapons, four decades after her previous nomination.
Madigan, 75, delivered a chilling portrayal of Gladys, the great-aunt of a young boy whose classmates mysteriously disappear overnight. Her performance had already earned major recognition earlier in the awards season, including the Critics’ Choice Award and the SAG Award.
Taking the stage with a delighted laugh, Madigan addressed the long gap since her last nomination, saying the biggest difference this time was finally holding the Oscar statuette. She also brought humour to the moment, joking that she had been trying to think of a speech while shaving her legs in the shower the previous night.
The actor was previously nominated in 1985 for Twice in a Lifetime, making this year’s recognition a historic return. With a 40-year gap between nominations, Madigan set a record for the longest interval between acting nominations for an actress.
Reflecting on the unexpected popularity of her character, she said earlier in the awards circuit that Gladys had “surprised” her with the affection audiences have shown. After winning the Oscar, Madigan added that the character was “kind of inspiring in a strange way” and joked that she would gladly return for a prequel centred on Aunt Gladys if the opportunity arose.
Madigan also thanked writer-director Zach Cregger for creating what she described as a “dream part”. She welcomed the wider recognition for horror films this year, noting that the genre is often treated as the “little kids’ table at Thanksgiving”, but that acclaim for films such as Weapons and Sinners signals a positive shift.
In the category, Madigan prevailed over Elle Fanning for Sentimental Value, Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for Sentimental Value.
Looking back on her long career in film and theatre, Amy Madigan reflected on the challenges faced by older actors, saying opportunities tend to become fewer with age and that every meaningful role is something she does not take for granted.
